Sunday, March 6, 2016

Blood Orange Cake~And Downton.

I know many many ..all ..of you.. shared my love of Downton..Happy New Year is all I will say in case some of you did not catch the finale..♥Marie you were right!I just watched it and wished I had had a glass of champagne.I think we are all richer for the beautiful decors,clothes,flowers,landscape.I don't even have the words to describe this wonderful series that kept us coming back to see more..It's been a wonderful television viewing experience for us.

When I made this cake..my mise en place was very sunny and cheerful..the shape was so pretty and it came out perfectly..right away I thought..this will be my little Downton Farewell Cake~And here it is..adapted from here~Here's a little Blood Orange Cake w/ honey and a touch of sour cream..2 eggs..I used Alain's50 grams butter melted and cooled2 tbsps EVOOa tbsp sour cream2 tbsps brown sugar3 tbsps honey150 grams of flour100 ml blood orange juice1 tsp grated blood orange rindvanilla (see notes below)8 grams baking powder(see notes)1 dash baking sodaIcing sugar..Beat eggs w/ sugar and honey and oil..the tbsp of sour cream..add melted and cooled butter..blood orange juice and vanilla..next the flour that you have sifted w/ the bp and bs.Bake in a pre-heated 350 F oven for ap 25 mins..mine took longer..My mold is small I will post a photo of the mold I used below:)A small cake like this will last a good week here..Jacques is the sweet eater..and he is content w/ small portions.The day I made this cake..it was not destined to be for Downton..so bright and cheery ..my mise en place..

See how small the mold is? Compare it to the blood orange..I have to tell you those molds are great.I have posted about them before..Amazon..here.. a nested set..not non-stick..yet a spray and a whisper..and this cake came out flawlessly.When the cake came together...it looked like Downton;)Isobel's house..something you would eat at Isobel's house.So here's the thing..I watched a Stefano show a long time ago and he said he loved the envelopes of vanilla and baking powder mixed together in one....well I do too..so for this recipe I used it..

I make my own vanilla sugar..but when in Little Italy I spoil myself w/ pretty envelopes;)The Baking powder/yeast type /vanilla mix I like is the Bertolini you see..1 envelope is good for 500 grams of flour.Meanwhile..as I drive along Main Road..as the temps rise..and the snow melts..

45 comments:

Monique, I've just finished watching DA. Yes, I was disappointed that I did not think to have a glass of champagne handy. It was the perfect occasion. A slice of this lovely cake would have been just the thing to have with some bubbly. I'm going to miss these friends, but I'm most pleased that everything was on a happy ending. I don't think I could have watched something sad and unpleasant. Thanks for sharing the beautiful post in honor of DA.

I had actually watched the ending on my iPad going down to Florida for the race with my sister. So all the spoilers were out... It was so great to watch it again and look at everything more closely. I missed when Daisy's beau took a lock of her hair off the counter the first time... and the details of the gorgeous dresses.

Your cake looks gorgeous Monique! No surprise there! Oh how very pretty those envelopes of vanilla sugar, etc, are. Like you I am in love with labels and papers, but you already know that. I am glad that Downton is finished for you now so we can talk about it freely! I was disappointed in a way that Mary didn't end up with Branson. Sigh . . . I had wanted that to happen, but I was really pleased that they all had happy endings. I Loved that all of the loose ends were tied up together. I saw that there were possibilities for spin offs? One can but hope! I see where this was the right time for the show to end though. I would love to see a show about Mrs Patmore and her B&B, or how Anna and Mr Bates are with their happy family . . . or what happens to Daisy? Carson and his Mrs. So many possibilities aside from Downton. I found I came to like Thomas in this last series and have some compassion for him despite how horrible he has been in every other series of the show. I think we were left with an understanding of why he is the way he is with everyone. I could go on and on, but I won't! Whew! I am not surprised you couldn't sleep! Love and hugs!PS - Love that photo of the horses. So serene. xo

All the same thoughts as you..my biggest disappointment..the Mary marriage.Although he was nice I felt no chemistry..after Matthew..only Branson could compare:)Love Barrow..the whole first series..I didn't of course..and yes Edith finally happy..and glowing the whole show.That castle..funny watching LG and Cora walking through..Mrs Patmore..one of my faves..always..and of course..The Dowager.81 years old!! AMAZING.By the time I unmolded the cake thae sun had gone..what a diff for pics!

Anyway..YOU WERE RIGHT ABOUT THE LAST SHOW ..when I was complaining earlier on;)

So pleased you enjoyed the finale episode of Downton Abbey. My Sunday evenings are not the same. There has been other series shown on English TV. but no where near the quality of Downton Abbey. Your lovely cake looked fit to be shared by all the aristocratic society.

Your cake is perfect for a salute to Downtown Abbey. We haven't seen the finale yet. It's recorded and ready and thanks for the suggestion of serving a glass of champagne. I will REALLY miss this series. I've enjoyed every minute and am now in the midst of reading the story of the real Downtown Abbey, which is about Highclere Castle where the series was filmed.Sam

I don't think the ending for Downton Abbey could have been more perfect!! Congratulations dear Edith!! Please Julian, do an occasional special to keep us up-to-date on the continuing lives of those we've loved for so long. Your cake is a perfect homage to the finale!!

I've never watched Downton Abbey. I only learned about it last year and then never could find it on tv. Maybe I didn't try too hard. But, hearing all of you that watched it, talk....I feel like I missed out on something good. Im sorry that I didn't see at least one episode.

I got into it..when 2 seasons were done..my friend would talk about it and I just was not interested I think.At one point..she broght over 2 seasons..and we were hooked.I was so happy Jacques enjoyed it also..I have looked forward to it ever since..Our library has the DVD's maybe yours?They are for sale too..but if you can borrow to see if you like..and you will:) That might be the way to go...

I thought of you as I watched the last of Downton Abbey last evening. I love a happy ending and was so pleased with the last episode. A slice of your cake and a glass of champagne, everyone in the cast would be pleased with that as well.

What a beautiful way to say goodbye to a Sunday tradition --- I felt this way about Upstairs Downstairs, and never thought that Downton quite came up to its standard --- but I eventually succumbed to the costumes!

I wonder if I can track down U D..I bet I would love that too..Yesterday topped off thise season's episodes..beautifully..the views..the dresses..the flowers..hats..all of it.Sitting here in leggings..

We still haven't watched it so I quickly moved past the other comments in case anyone else said anything :) We had the two Big Littles overnight on Saturday and by the time we took them home and returned here Sunday night we were too tired to stay up and watch it! Tonight, hopefully! I hope it's a nice ending. "Happy New Year" make me believe it is. What a pretty, pretty cake and I'm sure Lady Violet would approve. How cute that you have a cut-out of her!! I will miss her character so much. I love the scene with the blood orange and mold :) On Monday our landscape was covered with new snow - today, it's 65F and is mostly melted. It's going to be a fairly warm 10 days and I wouldn't be surprised if the golf courses aren't open soon. Not complaining :)

I get the TIRED LOL..They need..or we think they need all our attention every moment..we never stop with them while they are with us..and I feel amazing..truly a gift from God this time w/ them♥You will love it when you watch:)The cut outs are on the web..about 5 yrs ago I found them..have no cye where..could Google.not Dr Google..just Google;)Not sure here..we had snow overnight also..and the next few days should be mild..soon..sooner than later..:)

My husband and I both enjoyed every single episode of Downton and were very happy with the finale. I didn't make a cake for the occasion but love yours! The shape and pan size is wonderful. That is so very pretty. A great way to celebrate a wonderful series :)

Yes, Downton in the snow. It made it feel like we'd been watching this world in a snow-globe. And yes, Edith glowed. To see Mary (and Daisy) mature a bit--or a lot, really--was quite nice, although why the writer thought we'd be thrilled to see Mary marry in the next-to-last episode after her bad behavior still baffles me. Ah well! Best wishes to them all. ;) Seeing Cora choke up/her chin tremble a bit at finally getting that compliment from the Dowager Countess. . .both fine acting and just so touching. I liked that Mary's and Anna's roles reversed some at the end with the birth. That was a nice touch, especially after ll those two have been through with each other. An article with someone from the show that I read last night mentioned that when Sibby ran up to Thomas for the hug, it was unscripted--and it FELT that way--remember how he looks up and laughs? So sweet. To know his life is better now for having learned. . .Oh, I was happy for him. And Molesly and Baxter! Ahhhhhhh, yes, just so much here. I will miss this show and these characters. "The West Wing" is the only other show I can think of that years later still has me wondering about the characters as if they're real. . .What are they up to now, what are they reading and writing, how are their friendships and relationships faring, what do they think of [this current event] and [that current event]? I will be the same with "Downton" now. ♥

Your grandsons' paintings are so impressive!

I was just thinking last night that I haven't made homemade pizza in awhile. I'd eat pizza every day. 'No end to the varieties possible. Yours looks good. :)

You made me have tears over Thomas again..isn't it strange how just a few seasons ago..I wanted him out of the show..yet in the end..he was one of my ♥I had not read that about the hug..thus the welled up eyes again.Anna..so appropriate that she be surrounded by the best of care..after all..she gave the best of care..Mary was ok with her..:)And the TEACHER♥ And Baxter..and dear true blue Mrs Patmore..I shan't forget Downton..for more reasons than one♥

The interview with the show's producer that explains about the unscripted hug is here and is full of all kinds of interesting notes: https://www.yahoo.com/tv/downton-abbey-postmortem-inside-the-series-033806568.html

From the interview:Interviewer: "There was that great moment when little Sybbie hugged Barrow (Rob James-Collier) goodbye. It was like there was an audible 'awww' from the others in the room. They seemed so touched by that."

(Producer) Engler: "You know what, that wasn’t scripted. She just ran and did that. There was that reaction, and then after it happened, I said, 'Okay, everybody. That’s exactly what the reaction should be.'"

"The Hug" here: https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/XO35JG1z3tojAs67iPZuLw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjtzbT0xO3c9NTAwO2g9Mjgx/http://l.yimg.com/cd/diminuendo/1.0/original/4ec5687239081559f9b85823f90bdee086d8c2fb.gif :) Even sweeter, all of this, after having read all that.

Absolutely something that would be on Isobel's table, watched over by Sprat, that looney fellow. Oh it was a wonderful ending, wasn't it? I also was pleased Barrow came out looking a LOT better than when we all first met him. But I will miss it - I ordered this season, then plan on getting the rest, though it won't be the same as watching for the first time - do you remember? Such a journey we've all been through together....